If you dropped by today looking for a new post please come back again after the 4th of July. I am out of the country on mission in Guatemala. Please pray for us as we partner with a church in Guatemala City to plant two new churches in a barrio of over 50,000 people with no identifiable evangelical witness present in the community. I will look forward to sharing stories and maybe a few pictures of what God is doing in Guatemala!
Blessings to you and yours,
John
June 27, 2007
June 22, 2007
A Worthy Word about the WORD
"The Bible is the record of those divine breakthroughs into human history. 'God's search for man,' it is described, rather than our search for God. And its accents are considered a key for discerning the continuing divine activity in the present. Unlike most religious literature, it is not chiefly a collection of noble sayings, but a drumroll of events, people, struggles, great and terrible, of frailty, doubts, and heroism, of the ultimate might of right. Scripture isn't meant as scientific exposition or as mere history. It is 'salvation history,' a universal spiritual drama of an overarching compassion and concern for human integrity, of an unwavering love that seeks an answering affirmation, It is a vivid, sometimes parabolic account of God's persistent, unrelenting quest for us and our stumbling, often faithless response." From The Untamed God by George Cornell
June 19, 2007
The Secret's Out and It's No Secret
A confession is in order. I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK. With that disclaimer I, with some hesitance, proceed (I'm not one to shoot at books without giving them a fair shake, but I'll make an exception here). This appears to be the same old story in a new dress; namely, people are desperate for something more than life is giving them. I think it's new status as the latest, greatest answer to your ills gives further evidence of the incredible hunger that our society has for meaning.
There is a good article in Christianity Today reviewing this newly Oprah blessed book. I think it is certainly worth your time and certainly worth sharing with others who are looking for the secret. I chuckled upon reading these lines from the review...
"Thoughts are magnetic, and thoughts have a frequency," the book assures us. "As you think, those thoughts are sent out into the universe and they magnetically attract all like things that are on the same frequency. Everything sent out returns to the source. And that source is you."
Now here's the bad news: Whatever happens to you—the good and the bad—was attracted by your thoughts. Appendicitis? Auto accident? Poverty? You brought it on yourself."
All that said, I do intend to visit my local library and read this little tome for myself. Integrity demands that I do so. I will be sure to let you know what I think. Until then, here's a secret that's not a secret anymore, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1).More on the Separation of Church and State
I received a copy of Dr. William Hull's little book, The Meaning of the Baptist Experience in which, among other things, he comes to grips with the question of religiously inspired terror. The historic and modern illustrations of what occurs when religious fervor is given ready access to the power of the state is an unhappy, even tragic, scene littered with broken lives and broken faith.
Dr. Hull speaks to a growing mood among some Christians to bring about a new theocracy.
"One of the dangers...is that we become like our enemies. Already the lure of theocracy is all about us as various religious groups seek governmental favors in exchange for political support. But what if efforts are made in the name of a militant patriotism to co-opt Christianity as an American or a Western religion so that it no longer functions as a global religion without allegiance to any one country or culture?...Baptists know from experience that when the interests of the church are no broader than the interests of the state, the church loses its leverage to reconcile those divisions that condemn the world to perpetual strife. The distinctive Baptist understanding of religious liberty is not some denominational oddity, a mere hiccup on the side of history. Rather it offers an essential contribution to the development of a post-9/11 geopolitic by enshrining the insight that the awesome spiritual power of religion may not be linked to the equally awesome temporal power of the state if any semblance of freedom is to survive." (Emphasis added, The Meaning of the Baptist Experience, p. 21)
This idea of the state maintaining civil relationships between the citizenry and not dictating what the citizenry will or will not believe about their Creator is a good idea that should be preserved at all costs.
Dr. Hull speaks to a growing mood among some Christians to bring about a new theocracy.
"One of the dangers...is that we become like our enemies. Already the lure of theocracy is all about us as various religious groups seek governmental favors in exchange for political support. But what if efforts are made in the name of a militant patriotism to co-opt Christianity as an American or a Western religion so that it no longer functions as a global religion without allegiance to any one country or culture?...Baptists know from experience that when the interests of the church are no broader than the interests of the state, the church loses its leverage to reconcile those divisions that condemn the world to perpetual strife. The distinctive Baptist understanding of religious liberty is not some denominational oddity, a mere hiccup on the side of history. Rather it offers an essential contribution to the development of a post-9/11 geopolitic by enshrining the insight that the awesome spiritual power of religion may not be linked to the equally awesome temporal power of the state if any semblance of freedom is to survive." (Emphasis added, The Meaning of the Baptist Experience, p. 21)
This idea of the state maintaining civil relationships between the citizenry and not dictating what the citizenry will or will not believe about their Creator is a good idea that should be preserved at all costs.
June 18, 2007
Such is the Father's Love...
Several requests for this from my "flock" convinced me that a post was in order. Yesterday I shared the wonderful story of David and Mephibosheth found in 2 Samuel. (For those who are interested you can follow the entire story using these references 2 Sam 4:4, 9:1-13, 16:1-4, & 19:24-30). It is a powerful picture of one man keeping his promise and showing love (Hebrew word chesed- so much bigger than is translated by "love") to one who, by all rights, should have been considered his enemy. Mephibosheth was crippled from childhood and was, for all intents and purposes, a throw away. David, the king, does for this young crippled man what he could never do for himself, restoring him and inviting him to eat at his table. A powerful story.
How about a modern day parable like unto it? Take 10 minutes and watch this incredible story. WARNING: It is highly advised that you have tissue nearby.
Such is our heavenly Father's love for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
NOTE: My good friend Paul over at But A Poor Reflection posted the Dick and Rick Hoyt story yesterday. Coincidence? I don't think so...
How about a modern day parable like unto it? Take 10 minutes and watch this incredible story. WARNING: It is highly advised that you have tissue nearby.
Such is our heavenly Father's love for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
NOTE: My good friend Paul over at But A Poor Reflection posted the Dick and Rick Hoyt story yesterday. Coincidence? I don't think so...
June 15, 2007
I Shepherd Some of These People
Ran across this great quote over at Give Me a Lion's Heart and had to share it.
"Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty — they merely move it from their faces into their hearts."
— Martin Buxbaum
I shepherd some of these people - they know who they are!
"Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty — they merely move it from their faces into their hearts."
— Martin Buxbaum
I shepherd some of these people - they know who they are!
One of the Joys of Summer
One of the quintessential joys of summer has to be Vacation Bible School (VBS). Kids, kool-aid, cheap cookies, and tons of energy all add up to one unforgettable time! I look forward to this annual rite of passage and always come away with memorable moments that confirm this as one of the things that make summer...well, summer. It is as welcome and right as a late afternoon thunderstorm breaking the heat and giving way to a gloriously pleasant evening.
Around my house the inevitable boredom of being out of school with nothing to do but endless chores had settled in like a bad case of poison ivy; everybody itching for something else to do and somewhere else to be. I think a lot of other houses were likewise afflicted. VBS was first dreaded ("Do I haaaave to go?"), then loved ("Can we go early? Pleeeease!), and now longed for (I wish we had VBS tonight.) as the list of chores has been re-instated and the days return to a predictable blur.
VBS is a marvelous time of learning for children. This year our kids, memorized Hebrews 12:1-2 "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us...Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.", learned a song that taught them the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5 - Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, drank gallons of kool-aid, heard stories of missionaries working around the world, and had an all around good time. Our closing celebration was a blast as Moms and Dads and Grandparents showed up to see and hear what the kids had done all week. Smiles were in abundance.
By far my favorite memory this year was watching our kids play in the rain following the closing ceremony. We've not had rain for almost two months and we were blessed with a slow and soft shower as the hot dogs and chips were being served. The gentle rain and resulting puddles were an irresistible invitation to play. And did they play! I can still hear the echoes of their laughter and see the near disbelief in their eyes as moms, dads and adult leaders said, "Yes! Go play in the rain!" Sloppy, soaked, and satisfied they all crawled into cars and went home with a moment they will never forget. A moment when God graced them with people to love them and teach them of His love. A moment when the heavens opened and poured out liquid fun. A moment of unreserved joy. Only a moment, but one to hold for a lifetime.
Around my house the inevitable boredom of being out of school with nothing to do but endless chores had settled in like a bad case of poison ivy; everybody itching for something else to do and somewhere else to be. I think a lot of other houses were likewise afflicted. VBS was first dreaded ("Do I haaaave to go?"), then loved ("Can we go early? Pleeeease!), and now longed for (I wish we had VBS tonight.) as the list of chores has been re-instated and the days return to a predictable blur.
VBS is a marvelous time of learning for children. This year our kids, memorized Hebrews 12:1-2 "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us...Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.", learned a song that taught them the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5 - Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, drank gallons of kool-aid, heard stories of missionaries working around the world, and had an all around good time. Our closing celebration was a blast as Moms and Dads and Grandparents showed up to see and hear what the kids had done all week. Smiles were in abundance.
By far my favorite memory this year was watching our kids play in the rain following the closing ceremony. We've not had rain for almost two months and we were blessed with a slow and soft shower as the hot dogs and chips were being served. The gentle rain and resulting puddles were an irresistible invitation to play. And did they play! I can still hear the echoes of their laughter and see the near disbelief in their eyes as moms, dads and adult leaders said, "Yes! Go play in the rain!" Sloppy, soaked, and satisfied they all crawled into cars and went home with a moment they will never forget. A moment when God graced them with people to love them and teach them of His love. A moment when the heavens opened and poured out liquid fun. A moment of unreserved joy. Only a moment, but one to hold for a lifetime.
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